Apparatus and system for transferring carts

摘要

In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring carts may include a transfer surface, a loading station lift, a working station lift, and a controller. The transfer surface may include a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station. The loading station lift may include loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift. The working station lift may include working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift. The controller that can actuate the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface and a transferring state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface.

主权项

1. An apparatus for transferring carts comprising:
a transfer surface comprising a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station; a loading station lift disposed within the loading station of the transfer surface, wherein the loading station lift comprises loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift; a working station lift disposed within the working station of the transfer surface and aligned with the loading station lift, wherein the working station lift comprises working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift; a controller that actuates the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state and a transferring state, wherein:
when the loading station lift and the working station lift are in the loading state, the loading station rollers and the working station rollers are offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface; andwhen the loading station lift and the working station lift are in the transferring state, the loading station rollers and the working station rollers are offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface, wherein the loading station rollers and the working station rollers are aligned along a lateral direction; a downward input device communicatively coupled to the controller and fixedly engaged with a working side member, wherein the downward input device transmits a data signal to the controller and the controller actuates the loading station lift and the working station lift to the loading state upon receiving the data signal, the downward input device located on the working side member for actuation by a cart moving along the working station rollers with the working lift station in the transferring state; and a guide structure that bounds the loading station and the working station and defines a cart access adjacent to the loading station and the working station, wherein the guide structure comprises a lateral member that extends substantially laterally between a loading side member and the working side member, where the loading side member and the working side member at least partially limit the loading station and the working station, respectively, along a direction of ingress and egress.